See The Surprising Republicans Who Broke With Their Party On The Defense Spending Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives handed Speaker Kevin McCarthy a victory Friday, passing an unusually partisan version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The sweeping legislation passed Congress' lower chamber in a largely party-line 219-210 vote. As American Liberty News previously noted, four Democrats, who represent either toss-up or red-leaning districts, supported the NDAA despite the addition of contentious amendments added by the House Freedom Caucus.

They were Reps. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Jared Golden of Maine and Danny Davis of Illinois.

But who were the four Republicans that broke with GOP leadership, yet again adding to the stress of McCarthy's precarious position.

It's might not be who you think, as The Hill explains:

Republican Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Eli Crane (Ariz.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.) broke from GOP leadership and opposed the measure.

The American Conservative Union (ACU), gives Biggs a near flawless 97% lifetime rating. Buck has earned a 97% rating, too. After a decade in Congress, Massie has amassed a 92% rating. Eli Crane was sworn in, in January and hasn't received an ACU rating. Still, the Arizona Republican belongs to the Freedom Caucus and has been a persistent thorn in McCarthy's side.

So what prompted the defection of four very conservative legislators after lawmakers included a number of hot-button conservative amendments?

The price tag and the amount of funding for Ukraine were the biggest issues, according to The Hill:

Buck's opposition to the measure rested in its price tag. The legislation sets an $866 billion budget for the country's armed forces in fiscal year 2024. He said he could not “in good conscience” support the legislation.

“Our country is careening toward fiscal ruin, and Congress continues to turn a blind eye by passing these massive spending packages with no attention to their cost or efficacy,” he wrote in a statement.

…

Biggs and Crane posted a joint, 10-minute video explaining their “no” votes, citing U.S. support for the war in Ukraine, financial accountability at the Pentagon and culture war issues. Five amendments that would have cut funding to Ukraine or otherwise reduced U.S. involvement failed on Thursday.

Crane, who dropped out of college to join the armed forces after 9/11 – eventually becoming a Navy SEAL – said his no vote didn't mean he doesn't care about the military.

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